Background & Objective: UCP3 is a member of uncoupling proteins which plays an important role in energy homeostasis and it might be important in obesity. C-55T (rs1800849) polymorphism in promoter of UCP3 can affect the expression level of UCP3. The aim of this study was to analyze the association
of UCP3 C-55T polymorphism and obesity in a juvenile population of Iran.Material & Methods: peripheral blood sample from 120 obese and 120 normal university students were collected for DNA extraction. Genotyping of C-55T polymorphism in the UCP3 gene was performed by PCR-RFLP method. Chi-square test was applied to analyze the data at P<0.05 significance level.Results: The variant T allele was significantly associated with the obesity risk. The frequency of T allele was 72% in Obese group compared to 40% in normal subjects (P= 0.000, OR=3.8 CI 95% 2.1 – 6.9).Conclusion: The UCP3 C-55T polymorphism was associated with higher BMI and can be regarded as a risk factor for the development of obesity.